Cummings (left) and Treanor (below) are both 2017 U.S. Women’s World Cup team hopefuls. Treanor played on the gold medal-winning U19 team in 2011.
[But] Kayla, she’s certainly one of the most talented players in the country. She allows us to compete at the level we want to compete at.”
While fans saw a glimpse of her skills against Cummings in the 2015 semifinal — Treanor had three draw controls to Cummings’ five — the draw control has become a new focus this season for Treanor. “Possession is very
important,” Gait said. “When you have the ball, the other team can’t score. The draw is a huge part of the game. We’ve struggled against Maryland, mostly in the first half of games in the past few years. We’re hoping Kay can help change at least our first- half start to the game.” Syracuse had a 14-11 edge against Maryland during the regular season, but the Terps still won 14-9. Treanor has been brilliant from the first game of 2016 when she won 19 draw controls against Loyola. “Any task she’s taken
on, she’s incredibly focused and wants to be the best at whatever she does,” Gait said. “This is just a great example of her taking on the challenge of the draw and trying to master it. ... We needed to replace [Kempney] and she stepped up.” Treanor may be new to the gig, but Cummings has long been known for her prowess
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Both are credited with raising their levels in their final seasons. Treanor is now a dual threat as a draw specialist and the most dangerous attacker for the Orange. Cummings assumed a bigger leadership role after Maryland graduated seven starters and brought on a 10-member freshman class, including four in the starting lineup. She strives to be an even better defender in addition to her offensive strengths. “She’s been such a talented
player,” Reese said. “Here you come into your senior year and we only return five starters. You’re really tasked with leading. After the last two years, we’ve asked more and more of her defensively. I think she’s a total stud on the defensive end with Alice [Mercer] and Nadine [Hadnagy]. She’s stepped up to become more of a complete player.”
Cummings and Treanor are well aware this is the final chance for them in college. “One last ride,” was how Cummings described her senior year prior to the Terps’ season opener.
“[IT]
SHOULDN’T BE KAYLA VS. TAYLOR. IT’S GOING TO BE SYRACUSE VS.
MARYLAND.” – TAYLOR
CUMMINGS
taking the draw. As a freshman, she had a team-high 94 draw controls and remains one of the very best in the country while still leading the Terps in almost every other statistical category. Last year, Cummings had a Division I-best 100 points. “She’s one of the all-time great players that ever played at Maryland,” Gait said. “Having worked there a long time and coached a bunch of the past great players, she’s definitely making her mark in history.
Both also are members of the 2016 U.S. women’s national team roster for its foreign tour in England this summer, so they have gotten to know each other away from their collegiate rivalry. “I much prefer to play on the same team as her than against her,” Cummings said. “It’s almost like you put a face to a name and you’ve gotten to know this person through the years.
“[It] shouldn’t be Kayla vs.
Taylor. It’s going to be Syracuse vs. Maryland.”
May 2016 » LACROSSE MAGAZINE 37
©SCOTT MCCALL
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